Filing system

ABSTRACT

A card registry system comprising a container having a rhomboid outer shape and upwardly diverging side walls, a plurality of dividers pivotally arranged within the container for pivoting at an angle to the side walls, and support means extending across the container between the side walls for supporting the dividers. The dividers have end rails at the opposite ends with offset sections on opposite sides of the divider aligned with the offset sections of the next adjacent divider.

0 I iJmted States Patent 1 [111 3,751,837 Proulx 1 Aug. 14, i973 FILING SYSTEM [75] Inventor: Romeo T. Proulx, Copiagiie, NY. agigi' fgrfi fi zi Assigneel Barry Wright 'p Wife-IT Attorney-Pennie, Edmonds, Morton, Taylor&Adams town, Mass.

[22] Filed: Mar. 4, 1971 w [21] Appl. No.: 121,106 57 ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl. 40/78.13 r [51] Int. Cl B42t 7/00 A a d gist y syst m mprising a container having [58] Field of Search 40/78, 78.13, 78.15, a rh m i outer h pe and upwardly diverging side 40/102, 124; 220/22.l-6; 206/72-73 walls, a plurality of dividers pivotally arranged within the container for pivoting at an angle to the side walls, [56] References Cited and support means extending across the container be- UNITED STATES PATENTS tween the side walls for supporting the dividers. The dividers have end rails at the opposite ends with offset @233; $2312: sections on opposite sides of the divider aligned with 213301953 10/1943 CopelandI:I::::::::::::.......::: 40/78113 the ffset aims the next adjacent FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS V 1,241,412 6/1967 Germany 220/223 10 claim, 8 Drawing Figures PATENIED 3.751.837

sum 2 or 2 INVENTOR Romeo T. Proulx Zailwnf 4 14 ATT RNEYS FILING SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Rhomboid shaped containers with upwardly diverging side walls for holding file data are presently available. With present constructions, the accumulated weight of the tile data is usually supported by one of the walls of the container. In the most typical arrangement, the weight of the accumulated data when pivoted from the vertical is supported by one of the end walls. Among other things, this type of construction concentrates the weight of the tile data at the end of the containers; and with big containers holding large quantities of file data, this requires a sturdy and rigid container.

Rhomboid shaped containers are also disclosed in the prior art wherein a plurality of spacers are arranged between accumulated sections of file data. These spacers extend from side to side of the container and are mounted for pivoting movement within the bottom of the container. With constructions of this type, one or.

the other of the upwardly diverging side walls of the container function to support one end of the spacers when tipped from the vertical. In addition, cards positioned between the spacers are adapted to be guidably supported by the spacers; and when in tipped position, the cards contact one of the side walls of the container for additional support. In constructions of this type, the load of the tipped file data is concentrated on the side walls of the container. As with containers where the tipped load rests against one of the end walls, thisrequires special attention in designing the end walls to preclude collapsing outwardly under loaded conditions.

With both of the constructions described above, it is apparent that the containers are not particularly constructed to most uniformly distribute the loading of the tile data. Either the end walls or the side walls must be made to support the tipped load of the tile data. When all of the file data is tipped in one direction, a single end wall or single side wall will have to bear the entire load.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the disadvantages of the prior art constructions are eliminated or reduced to a minimum. The container is constructed so that the load of the file data is more evenly distributed throughout the structure than in prior art constructions. Generally, the container of the present invention is rhomboid shaped with upwardly diverging side and end walls. Positioned at spaced intervals within the containers are separators. These separators are pivotally mounted in the bottom of the container and have shoulders which engage on horizontal seats extending inwardly of the side walls of the container. The seats support the separators in pivoted position. A plurality of dividers are also included within the container and positioned between the spacers. These dividers have end rails of appreciable thickness and offset sections aligned with similar sections on adjacent dividers. The dividers are supported in tipped position by engagement of the end rails with each other and with the separators. The container further includes channel means in the bottom thereof for holding the dividers and separators in proper angular position during use of the file data and repeated pivoting of the dividers relative to each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of the container incorporating the features of the present invention therein;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the container shown in FIG. 1 partially broken away to show the interior construction thereof;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 1 showing one of the dividers in tipped position within the container;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view looking into the container from above and along one sidewall;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the dividers at the end of the container opposite from that shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of one of the end rails intermediate its ends;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of one of the end rails at its lower end; and

FIG. 8 is a side view showing the orientation of a separator and plurality of dividers when tipped in opposite directions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The card registry system of the present invention generally includes a container 1 and a plurality of dividers 2 supported within the container for pivoting movement on the bottom thereof. In addition to the dividers, the container includes a plurality of separators, one of which is shown at 3 in FIG. 1. The separators are positioned between groups of dividers. The file data held within the container is positioned between the dividers which function as indexing means for indicating the location of different data.

In construction, the container, made of sheet metal, has a rhomboid shaped outer periphery with the included angles between adjacent sides being 60 and l20, alternately, around the container. The side walls 4 and 5 of the container diverge from each other in an upward direction. Similarly, the end walls 6 and 7 of the container are upwardly diverging.

As shown in FIG. I only a portion of the end wall 6 can be seen since a number of the dividers are portrayed in a pivoted backward position blocking a considerable part of the end wall 6 from view.

A horizontal seat 8 extends inwardly from each of the side walls of the container at a vertical location below the top of the container. The seats are each formed by a piece of sheet metal which is suitably secured at its upper edge to one of the side walls 4 and 5 and its lower end to the bottom wall 9 of the container. The inner surfaces of the sheets define inner side walls 4' and 5'. The bottom end of each of the sheets is turned upwardly to form a wall portion 10. This wall portion is spaced from the adjacent side wall to fonn a channel lll extending the full length of the side wall. The channel is provided for supporting the dividers as more fully described below.

The bottom of the container is provided with spaced pairs of slots 12. These slots are located inwardly of the channel 11 adjacent opposite side walls. Downwardly As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, each of the dividers includes end rails 14 at opposite ends of a central sheet portion 15. The dividers are each pivotally arranged in uniformly staggered parallel relation for pivoting movement about their lower edges as supported on the bottom of the container. The dividers are adapted to pivot at an acute angle to either side of the vertical. Advantageously, for efficient viewing of the file data located between the dividers, this acute angle is about 20.

Each of the end rails is constructed with offset sections on either side of the center sheet portion. More particularly, with reference to FIG. 6 where one of the end rails is shown in cross section, these offset sections are defined by a first section 16 extending inwardly of the associated end of the sheet 15 on one side of the sheet and a seocnd section 17 extending outwardly of the end of the sheet on the opposite side thereof. The two sections 16 and 17 are connected together in spaced relation by a third section 18 to provide the end rail with an appreciable thickness. Each of the end rails also includes a fourth section 19 which extends inwardly of the end of the sheet on the same side as the section 17. The sections 16 and 19 form a recess 20 in which the end of the sheet 15 is bent over and secured to the section 18 by rivets 21.

The end rails at either end of the dividers are arranged in uniformly staggered relation so that the offset sections on opposite sides of each divider are aligned in a direction perpendicular to the axis of pivoting of the divider with one of the offset sections of the next adjacent divider. More particularly, at each side of the container, the offset section 16 of the end rail of any one of the dividers is aligned with the offset section 17 of the end rails of the next adjacent dividers on either side of the one divider.

With the end rail construction as described above, each divider is supported by the divider immediately behind through engagement of the end rails. The space formed between each of the end rails provides a free region in which the file data is positioned. As shown in FIG. 5, the file data may include a plurality of cards 22 positioned in shingled-like orientation across the width of the container. The cards are held in position by longitudinally extending rods 23 engaging within notches 24 in the lower edges of the card.

The separators 3, which are located between groups of dividers, are each comprised of a flat plate portion 25 and shoulder means 26 extending from each end 27 of the plate. The shoulder means are adapted to be supported by one of the seats 8 extending inwardly from the side walls of the container. More particularly, when the separator is pivoted backwardly in the containers as shown in FIG. 1, the left hand shoulder means 26 will engage upon the seat 8 at the left hand side of the container. The right hand side of the separator will, in turn, be free of any support on the seat 8 which extends along the right hand side of the container. The lower edges of the separators are notched at 25 to receive the rods 23 and operate to hold the rods in proper alignment between the end walls of the container.

As most clearly shown in FIG. 2, the seat 8 is vertically positioned along the side of the container so that when supporting one of the shoulder means 26 ofa separator, the associated ends 27 of the separator will be spaced from the side wall 4. In addition to the spaced orientation of the separators from the container side walls, the end rails of the dividers will be similarly oriented when tipped in either direction. This spaced relation is shown in FIG. 3. The end walls 6 and 7 of the container angle outwardly to the same extent as the separators. They thus provide the same type of support for the dividers immediately adjacent the ends of the container.

With the above construction, the dividers between each separator will be fully supported by their end rail engagement with each other and with the separator. Only the separator will, in turn, be supported by the seat 8. Accordingly, the load of the supported file data between the dividers and separators will produce a downwardly directed force component on the seat 8. This will eliminate some of the forces which would otherwise tned to collapse the side walls if the separators and dividers were permitted to rest directly on the side walls.

In FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the opposite end rails of the dividers are shown as extending downwardly beyond the sheet portions 15 and into the opposite channels 11. At the lower ends, the end rails are constructed, as shown in FIG. 7, without the section 19. In cross section, the lower end of each of the end rails has a maximum crosssectional dimension as measured in a direction extending along the dividers which is substantially equal to the width of the channel 1 l as measured along the same direction. More particularly, the length of the sections 16 and 17 of the end rails is substantially equal to each other and to the dimension 27 across the bottom of the channel. With this construction, the dividers are held within the channels in parallel relation to the end walls of the container and cannot be turned relative thereto as they are pivoted back and forth or when the container is not completely filled with dividers. Although the sections 16 and 17 at the lower end of the end rails are shown as being equal in length, the section 17 may be longer. This may be advantageous, for example, to fully support the end rail of the adjacent dividers and prevent catching as they are pivoted relative to each other. The length of the section 17 will depend on the amount of offset between each divider.

The end wall portion 10 of each of the channels extends at an angle to the vertical and diverges from the side wall to which it is immediately adjacent. To permit free pivoting of the dividers within the channels, the wall portion 10 adjacent one side of the container extends at an angle to the vertical which is at least as great as the angle to which the opposite side wall extends from the vertical.

To permit smooth pivoting of the dividers from one angular position to another, the lower edge 28 of the intermediate section 18 of each of the dividers is curved convexly. In addition, the sections 16 and 17 of the end rails terminate at the top of the curved edge 28. With reference to FIG. 5, the section 16 of each of the end rails terminates in a lower end 29 while section 17 terminates in the lower end 30. With this construction, the dividers may be pivoted into the position shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 without one of the dividers sliding under the other. Any such sliding would permit the dividers to ride up on each other when pivoted back and forth.

In a manner similar to the construction of the end rails, the separators are each provided with a foot 31 at either end which is adapted to be positioned within one of the channels 11. The feet of each of the separators terminate in lower ends 32 for engaging with the lower ends 20 or 30 of the adjacent oppositely pivoted divider. In this way, the adjacent dividers are held in proper orientation relative to the separators and sliding of one under the other is prevented.

I claim:

1. A card registry system comprising:

a. a container having a rhomboid outer shape and upwardly diverging side walls;

b. a plurality of dividers, means for pivotally arranging said dividers on the bottom of said container for pivoting movement about lines extending parallel to each other and at an angle other than 90 to the side walls, each of said dividers comprising:

1. end rails of appreciable thickness and a sheet connecting the end rails, said end rails at both ends of the sheet having offset sections on opposite sides of said sheet aligned in a direction extending perpendicular to the axis of pivot of said divider with the offset sections on the next adjacent dividers, so as to provide a free region between the sheets of adjacent dividers; and

0. support means positioned behind and in front of said dividers and extending across the container for supporting said dividers when pivoted toward said support means through support of the end rails of said dividers.

2. A card registry system according to claim 1 wherein:

a. the support means are positioned to support said dividers with the end rails thereof spaced from both side walls of the container.

3. A card registry system according to claim 1 wherein:

a. said container includes a horizontal seat extending inwardly from each side wall; and

b. said support means includes a plurality of separators with means for pivotally positioning said separators in spaced relation between said dividers, each of said separators comprising:

1. a flat plate, and

2. shoulder sections extending from each end of the plate with each of said shoulder sections being supported by one of said seats when pivoted into overlying relation therewith.

4. A card registry system according to claim 3 wherein:

a. said seats are vertically positioned along said side walls to support the shoulder sections of said separators with the ends thereof spaced from the side walls of the container.

5. A card registry system according to claim 4 wherein:

a. said support means further includes upwardly diverging end walls at each end of said container; and

b. the bottom of the container and said separators and end walls provide the sole support for the dividers.

6. A card registry system according to claim 3 wherein:

a. said container includes a channel at the bottom thereof extending along each of said side walls; and

b. the opposite end rails of each of said dividers extend downwardly beyond the sheet and into opposite channels, said end rails having a maximum cross-sectional dimension in said channel as measured in a predetermined direction across said container substantially equal to the width of said channel at the bottom thereof as measured along said predetermined direction.

7. A card registry system according to claim 6 wherein:

a. each of said channels includes a wall portion spaced from the adjacent side wall of said container with which it cooperates to form said channel, said wall portion extending at an angle to the vertical which is at least as great as the angle at which the opposite side wall extends from the vertical.

8. A card registry system according to claim 7 wherein:

a. the end rails at each end of the divider comprise:

l. a first section extending inwardly of the associated end of the sheet on one side thereof,

2. a second section extending outwardly of the end on the opposite side thereof,

3. a third section connecting said first and second sections together at the end in spaced relation to provide said thickness,

4. the first section of each end rail being aligned with the second section of the end rail on each of the next adjacent dividers, said first and second sections defining the offset sections of the divider.

9. A card registry system according to claim 8 wherein:

a. the lower edge of the third section of each end rail is convexly curved; and

b. the first and second sections terminate at their lower ends at the top of the curved edge of the third section.

10. A card registry system according to claim 9 wherein:

a. each of said separators includes a downwardly extending foot on each side thereof positioned in one of said channels with the lower end thereof engaging with the lower end of the first or second sections of the end rail of the next adjacent dividers when pivoted at an angle thereto.

i it t 

1. A card registry system comprising: a. a container having a rhomboid outer shape and upwardly diverging side walls; b. a plurality of dividers, means for pivotally arranging said dividers on the bottom of said container for pivoting movement about lines extending parallel to each other and at an angle other than 90* to the side walls, each of said dividers comprising:
 1. end rails of appreciable thickness and a sheet connecting the end rails, said end rails at both ends of the sheet having offset sections on opposite sides of said sheet aligned in a direction extending perpendicular to the axis of pivot of said divider with the offset sections on the next adjacent dividers, so as to provide a free region between the sheets of adjacent dividers; and c. support means positioned behind and in front of said dividers and extending across the container for supporting said dividers when pivoted toward said support means through support of the end rails of said dividers.
 2. A card registry system according to claim 1 wherein: a. the support means are Positioned to support said dividers with the end rails thereof spaced from both side walls of the container.
 2. shoulder sections extending from each end of the plate with each of said shoulder sections being supported by one of said seats when pivoted into overlying relation therewith.
 2. a second section extending outwardly of the end on the opposite side thereof,
 3. a third section connecting said first and second sections together at the end in spaced relation to provide said thickness,
 3. A card registry system according to claim 1 wherein: a. said container includes a horizontal seat extending inwardly from each side wall; and b. said support means includes a plurality of separators with means for pivotally positioning said separators in spaced relation between said dividers, each of said separators comprising:
 4. A card registry system according to claim 3 wherein: a. said seats are vertically positioned along said side walls to support the shoulder sections of said separators with the ends thereof spaced from the side walls of the container.
 4. the first section of each end rail being aligned with the second section of the end rail on each of the next adjacent dividers, said first and second sections defining the offset sections of the divider.
 5. A card registry system according to claim 4 wherein: a. said support means further includes upwardly diverging end walls at each end of said container; and b. the bottom of the container and said separators and end walls provide the sole support for the dividers.
 6. A card registry system according to claim 3 wherein: a. said container includes a channel at the bottom thereof extending along each of said side walls; and b. the opposite end rails of each of said dividers extend downwardly beyond the sheet and into opposite channels, said end rails having a maximum cross-sectional dimension in said channel as measured in a predetermined direction across said container substantially equal to the width of said channel at the bottom thereof as measured along said predetermined direction.
 7. A card registry system according to claim 6 wherein: a. each of said channels includes a wall portion spaced from the adjacent side wall of said container with which it cooperates to form said channel, said wall portion extending at an angle to the vertical which is at least as great as the angle at which the opposite side wall extends from the vertical.
 8. A card registry system according to claim 7 wherein: a. the end rails at each end of the divider comprise:
 9. A card registry system according to claim 8 wherein: a. the lower edge of the third section of each end rail is convexly curved; and b. the first and second sections terminate at their lower ends at the top of the curved edge of the third section.
 10. A card registry system according to claim 9 wherein: a. each of said separators includes a downwardly extending foot on each side thereof positioned in one of said channels with the lower end thereof engaging with the lower end of the first or second sections of the end rail of the next adjacent dividers when pivoted at an angle thereto. 